Memory system with improved efficiency of data transfer between host, buffer and nonvolatile memory

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a memory system which contributes to improvement in efficiency of a data process accompanying a memory access. A memory system has a rewritable nonvolatile memory, a buffer memory, and a controller. The controller controls, in response to an access request from an external apparatus, first data transfer between the controller and the external apparatus, second data transfer between the controller and the nonvolatile memory, and third data transfer between the controller and the buffer memory, controls transfer from the controller to the buffer memory in the third data transfer and transfer from the buffer memory to the controller in a time sharing manner, and enables the first data transfer or the second data transfer to be performed in parallel with the transfer carried out in the time sharing manner.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10/341,367filed Jan. 14, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,744,692.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a technique of buffering access data ina memory system for performing access control between an externalinterface and a nonvolatile memory in response to an access request fromthe outside and, for example, to a technique effectively applied to aflash memory card.

A flash memory card has a flash memory and a controller. Since theoperation speed, particularly, writing or rewriting operation speed ofthe flash memory is lower than operation speed of a host connected tothe flash memory card, the controller has a buffer memory in order toabsorb the difference between the operation speeds. In response to awrite request from the outside, the controller controls to input writedata from the outside to the buffer memory and write the input data intothe flash memory. In response to a read request from the outside, thecontroller temporarily stores data read out from the flash memory intothe buffer memory and outputs the stored data to the outside. As aconventional buffer memory, an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) of arelatively small capacity, a static latch, or the like is oftenemployed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the case of employing an SRAM of a small capacity, however, untilwriting of data input from the outside to the buffer memory into theflash memory is completed, data transfer from the host to the memorycard has to be waited. Until read data stored in the buffer memory fromthe flash memory is output to the outside, a new reading operation ofthe flash memory has to be waited. Particularly, in the case wherewriting of data into the flash memory fails, for example, when the datahas to be written again to a replacing sector due to a failure in asector to which the writing operation is performed first, the next writedata from the host cannot be received by the buffer memory.Consequently, due to a problem between the flash memory and thecontroller, data transfer between the host and the controller has to bewaited. It increases burden on the host and processing time, and aproblem such that the data processing efficiency deteriorates occurs.

In a process of examining the problems, the inventor herein hasrecognized the existence of patent applications, although not wellknown, filed by the applicant herein. The patent application Nos. are2001-174978, 2001-177924, 2001-213639, and 2001-213640. The applicationsprovide a technique using a flash memory as a nonvolatile memory forbacking up information stored in an SDRAM as a volatile memory. TheSDRAM is not evaluated as a buffer memory.

An object of the present invention is to provide a memory systemcontributing improvement in efficiency of a data process accompanying amemory access.

Another object of the invention is to provide a memory system forperforming an access control between an external interface and anonvolatile memory in response to an access request from the outside,which can contribute to reduction in waiting time of a host in datatransfer to/from the host, reduction in process load, and reduction inprocess time.

The above and other objects and novel features of the invention willbecome apparent from the description of the specification and theaccompanying drawings.

Representative ones of inventions disclosed in the specification will bebriefly described as follows.

[1] A memory system has a rewritable nonvolatile memory, a buffermemory, and a controller. The controller controls, in response to anaccess request from an external apparatus, first data transfer betweenthe controller and the external apparatus, second data transfer betweenthe controller and the nonvolatile memory, and third data transferbetween the controller and the buffer memory, controls transfer from thecontroller to the buffer memory and transfer from the buffer memory tothe controller in the third data transfer in a time sharing manner, andenables the first data transfer or the second data transfer to beperformed in parallel with the transfer carried out in the time sharingmanner.

With the above configuration, in response to a write access request fromthe outside, the controller stores write data to the buffer memory andoutputs the write data stored in the buffer memory in a time sharingmanner, in parallel with the write data storing process, can transferwrite data to the nonvolatile memory by the second data transfer and, inparallel with the write data outputting process, input the followingwrite data from the external apparatus by the first data transfer. Inresponse to a read access request from the outside, the controllerstores read data to the buffer memory and outputs the read data storedin the buffer memory in a time sharing manner, in parallel with the readdata storing process, can transfer the read data to the externalapparatus by the first data transfer and, in parallel with the read dataoutputting process, input the following read data from the nonvolatilememory by the second data transfer.

By the buffering function of the buffer memory, long waiting time isunnecessary for the timing of supplying a plurality of write data piecesby an external apparatus such as a host, and long waiting time isunnecessary for the timing of obtaining a plurality of read data piecesby the host. Therefore, the invention can contribute to reduction inwaiting time of the host in the data transfer between the host and acontroller, reduction in a process load, and reduction in processingtime. Thus, the invention can contribute to improvement in theefficiency of a data process accompanying a memory access.

As a desired mode of the invention, in order to maximally display thebuffering function, operation speed of the third data transfer is abouttwice as high as data transfer speed of the first data transfer. Intheory, the waiting time of the host becomes zero.

As a desired mode of the invention, the buffer memory is a single-portclock-synchronous volatile memory and operates in an FIFO manner. Higherspeed of the buffer memory and easy access control can be realized. Thenonvolatile memory is, for example, a flash memory.

As a mode of realizing buffering between the first transfer and thethird transfer and buffering between the second transfer and the thirdtransfer, preferably, the controller has a dual-port data bufferdisposed between the external apparatus and the buffer memory and adual-port data buffer disposed between the buffer memory and thenonvolatile memory. Control for paralleling the first data transfer andthe third data transfer and paralleling the second data transfer and thethird data transfer is further facilitated.

[2] A memory system according to another aspect of the invention has arewritable nonvolatile memory, a buffer memory, and a controller. Thecontroller has: a first data transfer control unit connected to anexternal apparatus; a second data transfer control unit connected to thenonvolatile memory; and a transfer arbitrator which is connected to thebuffer memory and controls data transfer to/from the buffer memory inresponse to a transfer request from the first data transfer control unitand a transfer request from the second data transfer control unit. Thefirst data transfer control unit is connected to the external apparatusand the transfer arbitrator via a dual-port data buffer and outputs atransfer request to the transfer arbitrator. The second data transfercontrol unit is connected to the nonvolatile memory and the transferarbitrator via a dual-port data buffer and outputs a transfer request tothe transfer arbitrator. The transfer arbitrator controls transfer ofwrite data to the buffer memory and transfer of read data from thebuffer memory in a time sharing manner in response to a transfer requestfrom the first data transfer control unit and a transfer request fromthe second data transfer control unit.

With the above configuration, the data transfer between the externalapparatus and the controller is buffered by the data buffer in the firstdata transfer control unit, the data transfer between the nonvolatilememory and the controller is buffered by the data buffer in the seconddata transfer control unit, and the data transfer between both of thedata buffers and the buffer memory can be performed in a time sharingmanner. Therefore, in response to a write access request from theoutside, the controller stores write data into the buffer memory andoutputs the write data stored in the buffer memory in a time sharingmanner. In parallel with the write data storing process, transfer ofwrite data from the data buffer in the second transfer control unit tothe nonvolatile memory can be performed. In parallel with the write dataoutputting process, the following write data from the external apparatuscan be transferred to the data buffer in the first transfer controlunit. In response to a read access request from the external apparatus,the controller stores read data into the buffer memory and outputs theread data stored in the buffer memory in a time sharing manner. Inparallel with the read data storing process, transfer of read data fromthe data buffer in the first transfer control unit to the externalapparatus can be performed. In parallel with the read data outputtingprocess, the following read data from the nonvolatile memory can betransferred to the data buffer in the second transfer control unit.

By the buffering function, long waiting time is unnecessary for thetiming of supplying a plurality of write data pieces by an externalapparatus such as a host, and long waiting time is unnecessary for thetiming of obtaining a plurality of read data pieces by the host.Therefore, the invention can contribute to reduction in waiting time ofthe host in the data transfer between the host and a controller,reduction in a process load, and reduction in processing time. Thus, theinvention can contribute to improvement in the efficiency of a dataprocess accompanying a memory access.

As a concrete mode of the invention, in response to a write accessrequest from the outside, the first data transfer control unit outputs atransfer request for writing data to the buffer memory to the transferarbitrator when a predetermined amount of data is stored in the databuffer from the external apparatus, and the second data transfer controlunit outputs a transfer request for reading data from the buffer memoryto the data buffer to the transfer arbitrator when data in the databuffer is less than the predetermined amount. In response to a readaccess request from the outside, the second data transfer control unitoutputs a transfer request for writing data to the buffer memory to thetransfer arbitrator when a predetermined amount of data is stored in thedata buffer from the buffer memory, and the first data transfer controlunit outputs a transfer request for reading data from the buffer memoryto the transfer arbitrator when data in the data buffer is less than thepredetermined amount.

As a desired mode of the invention, in order to maximally display thebuffering function, preferably, operation speed of the data transferto/from the buffer memory by the transfer arbitrator is about twice ashigh as operation speed of data transfer to/from the outside by thefirst transfer control unit. In theory, the waiting time of the hostbecomes zero.

As a desired mode of the invention, the buffer memory is a single-portclock-synchronous volatile memory and operates in an FIFO manner. Higherspeed of the buffer memory and easier access control can be realized.The nonvolatile memory is, for example, a flash memory.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a flash memory card as an example of amemory system according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing local memory address mapping of a flashmemory functioning as a file memory.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram generally showing address mapping of ahost interface part of a controller.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an FIFO form of an SDRAM.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation performed by atransfer arbitrator.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control operation of a CPU at the timeof a write transfer request.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control operation of a CPU at the timeof a read access request.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing a correlation of data transferoperations among a host, an SDRAM, and a flash memory when a writeaccess request is received.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing a correlation of data transferoperations among the host, SDRAM, and flash memory when a read accessrequest is received.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing an example of a write cycle Tdw of theSDRAM.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing an example of a read cycle Tdr of theSDRAM.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing an example of a write cycle Tfw of aflash memory.

FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing an example of a read cycle Tfr of theflash memory.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a case where there is no write error inthe flash memory in the flow of a data transferring process performed inresponse to a write access request.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a case where there is a write error inthe flash memory in the flow of another data transfer process performedin response to the write access request.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the flow of a data transferring processperformed in response to a read access request.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a memory flash card as an example of a memory systemaccording to the invention. A flash memory card 1 has a flash memory(nonvolatile memory) 2 having a data storage area and an area formanaging the data storage area for each predetermined sector address(physical address), a controller 4 for controlling an access to theflash memory 2 in response to a request from an external informationprocessor, for example, a host 3, connected on the outside of the memorysystem, and a buffer memory 5 connected to the controller 4.

The flash memory 2 has, although not particularly shown, a memory cellarray in which electrically erasable and writable flash memory cells arearranged in a matrix. The flash memory cell has, although not limited, afloating gate and a control gate isolated from each other via aninsulating film on a channel region. For example, by injecting hotelectrons into the floating gate, the threshold voltage of the memorycell is increased (this operation is called, for example, writing). Bydischarging electrons injected in the floating gate by a tunnelingcurrent via a gate insulating film, the threshold voltage of the memorycell is lowered (this operation is called erasing). The drain of theflash memory cell is connected to a bit line, the source is connected toa source line, and the control gate is connected to a word line. Forexample, an address assigned to the word line is the sector address.Selection of a word line by a sector address signal is performed by aword line selecting circuit. A part of a plurality of flash memory cellsdesignated by a sector address is selected on the basis of a columnaddress signal generated by a column address counter by using a columnaddress as a starting point. The flash memory can employ, for example,the configuration disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationNo. 2001-23383.

The flash memory 2 functions as, for example, a file memory. In localmemory address mapping, as shown in FIG. 2, a management area and a userdata storing area are assigned to each of sector addresses 1 to n andinformation such as whether each sector is good (valid) or not andfurther the presence/absence of a spare is stored in the managementarea.

The buffer memory 5 takes the form of, for example, a single-port SDRAM(Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) as a clock synchronousvolatile memory. The buffer memory 5 will be also simply described asSDRAM 5. The SDRAM 5 has, for example, a memory cell array in whichdynamic memory cells are arranged in a matrix, receives a command, anaddress, and the like synchronously with clocks, and can perform a writeaccess, a read access, or the like designated by a command synchronouslywith clock signals at high speed. For example, when it is assumed thatthe speed of a data transfer (first data transfer) via a bus between thehost 3 and the controller 4 is 100 MB (megabytes)/sec, the speed of adata transfer (third data transfer) via a bus between the SDRAM 5 andthe controller 4 is 266 MB/sec which is more than twice as high as thatof the first data transfer. The speed of a data transfer (second datatransfer) via a bus between the flash memory 2 and the controller 4 isabout 20 MB/sec so as to be matched with access speed of the flashmemory 2 itself which is low.

The controller 4 is constructed by a host data transfer control unit(first data transfer control unit) 11, a flash data transfer controlunit (second data transfer control unit) 12, a transfer arbitrator 13, aCPU 14, and a control register 15.

The control register 15 has a command register (15C), an addressregister (15A), and a status register (15S). At the time of accessingthe flash memory card 1, the host 3 sets a read or write command in thecommand register 15C and sets an access address in the address register15A. States of the host 3 and the flash memory card 1 are mutuallyrecognized via the status register 15S.

The CPU 14 generally controls the flash memory card 1. When a command isset in the command register 15C, the CPU 14 interprets the command, andperforms a control on a memory interface with the flash memory 2, acontrol on a data interface with the host 3, a buffer control on datasubjected to the interface control, and the like, thereby completing anaccess to a sector in the flash memory 2 corresponding to the addressset in the address register 15A.

The host data transfer control unit 11 connects the host 3 and thetransfer arbitrator 13 via a dual-port data buffer 20. When a transferrequest circuit 21 sends a transfer request to the transfer arbitrator13 by a signal HDRQ, and receives acknowledgment by a signal HDACK, thedata buffer 20 inputs/outputs data from/to the transfer arbitrator 13.The inputting or outputting operation is instructed to the transferarbitrator 13 by the host data transfer control unit 11 by using asignal HDIR. The signal HDIR is set in the host data transfer controlunit 11 before the CPU 14 starts a transferring operation. When anamount of the input or output operation to/from the transfer arbitrator13 of the data buffer 20 started in response to the acknowledge by thesignal HDACK reaches a specific amount, the host data transfer controlunit 11 asserts a signal HEND_IRQ to the CPU and finishes the transferoperation. The CPU 14 allows the transfer arbitrator 13 to accept a newtransfer request. The host data transfer control unit 11 can instructthe host 3 to stop the operation by outputting a wait signal HWAIT tothe host 3 and asserting the signal.

Although not shown, whether the transfer operation between the databuffer 20 and the host 3 can be performed or not is determined byexchanging the status via the status register 15S. When seen from thehost 3, the data buffer 20 is mapped in its address space. FIG. 3 showsgeneral address mapping of the host interface part of the controller 4.

The flash data transfer control unit 12 connects the flash memory 2 andthe transfer arbitrator 13 via a dual-port data buffer 22. The databuffer 22 takes the form of a dual-port FIFO buffer. When a transferrequest circuit 23 sends a transfer request to the transfer arbitrator13 by a signal FDRQ and receives acknowledgment by a signal FDACK, thedata buffer 22 inputs/outputs data from/to the transfer arbitrator 13.The inputting/outputting operation is instructed by the flash datatransfer control unit 13 to the transfer arbitrator 13 by using a signalFDIR. The signal FDIR is set in the flash data transfer control unit 12before the CPU 14 starts transferring operation. When an amount of theinputting/outputting operation to the transfer arbitrator 13 of the databuffer 22 started in response to the acknowledgment by the signal FDACKreaches a specific amount, the flash data transfer control unit 12asserts a signal FEND_IRQ to the CPU and finishes the transferoperation. In response to this, the CPU 14 allows the transferarbitrator 13 to accept a new transfer request. Although not shown, theflash data transfer control unit 12 determines whether the transferoperation between the data buffer 22 and the flash memory 2 can beperformed or not by exchanging the status via the status register of theflash memory 2.

The transfer arbitrator 13 is constructed by a transfer permissioncircuit 30, an address counter 31 for host data transfer, and an addresscounter 32 for flash data transfer. The address counter 31 for host datatransfer generates an access address of the SDRAM 5 in data transferbetween the data buffer 20 and the buffer memory 5. The address counter32 for flash data transfer generates an access address of the SDRAM 5 indata transfer between the data buffer 22 and the flash memory 2. Anaddress is preset in the address counters 31 and 32 by the CPU 14 inresponse to an access request from the host 3. The access to the SDRAM 5is controlled in an FIFO manner as illustrated in FIG. 4. The addresscounter 31 for host data transfer functions as a write address pointerat the time of writing data from the data buffer 20 to the SDRAM 5 andfunctions as a read address pointer at the time of reading data from theSDRAM 5 to the data buffer 20. The address counter 32 for flash datatransfer functions as a write address pointer at the time of writingdata from the data buffer 22 to the SDRAM 5 and functions as a readaddress pointer at the time of reading data from the SDRAM 5 to the databuffer 22. The transfer permission circuit 30 arbitrates competitionbetween the transfer request signals HDRQ and FDRQ and returns a resultof the arbitration to the transfer request circuits 21 and 23 by thesignals HDACK and FDACK.

FIG. 5 illustrates the control operation by the transfer arbitrator 13.The transfer arbitrator 13 sequentially cyclically determines whetherthere is a host data transfer request by the signal HDRQ (S1), whetherthere is a flash data transfer request by the signal FDRQ or not (S2),and whether it is necessary to refresh or not (S3). In the case wherethere is the host data transfer request by the signal HDRQ, in a processresponding to a write access request from the host 3, data is written toan address in the SDRAM 5 indicated by the address counter 31 and, in aprocess responding to a read access request from the host 3, data isread from an address in the SDRAM 5 indicated by the address counter 31(S1A). After that, the address counter 31 is incremented (S1B). In thecase where there is a flash data transfer request by the signal FDRQ, ina process responding to the write access request from the host 3, datais read from an address in the SDRAM 5 indicated by the address counter32 and, in a process responding to a read access request from the host3, data is written into an address in the SDRAM 5 indicated by theaddress counter 32, and the address counter 32 is incremented. When itis determined that refreshing is necessary, information stored in theSDRAM 5 is refreshed. A refresh address is generated by a not-shownrefresh address counter of the transfer arbitrator 13.

As obviously understood from FIG. 5, in the process performed inresponse to the write access request from the host 3, writing to theaddress in the SDRAM 5 indicated by the address counter 31 and readingof data from the address in the SDRAM 5 indicated by the address counter32 can be performed in a time sharing manner, that is, alternately on an8-byte unit basis or the like. In the process responding to the readaccess request from the host 3, reading of data from the address in theSDRAM 5 indicated by the address counter 31 and writing of data to theaddress in the SDRAM 5 indicated by the address counter 32 can beperformed in a time sharing manner, that is, alternately on the 8-byteunit basis or the like.

FIG. 6 illustrates a control operation of the CPU when the writetransfer request is received. When a write access request from the host3 is detected (S10), the CPU 14 sets the address counter 31 for hostdata transfer, that is, initializes or presets an initial value (S11)Further, the CPU 14 instructs the host data transfer control unit 11 totransfer data to be input from the host 3 to the data buffer 20 to thetransfer arbitrator 13 (S12). After that, the CPU 14 sets a transferenable status in the status register 15S and notifies the host 3 ofstart of transfer of write data to the data buffer 20 (S13). Thetransfer arbitrator 13 consequently performs the process which iscarried out in response to the host transfer request (S1) described byreferring to FIG. 5, thereby enabling the data to be stored into theSDRAM 5 designated by the address counter 31 each time 8-byte data isinput from the host 3 to the data buffer 20. Further, the CPU 14calculates a physical address, that is, a sector address in the flashmemory 2 from the access address input to the address register 15A (S14)and sets a command to write data into the calculated sector address intothe flash memory 2 via the flash data transfer control unit 4 (S15).After that, the CPU 14 sets the address counter 32 for flash datatransfer, that is, initializes or presets an initial value (S16). Eachtime 8-byte data is input from the SDRAM 5 to the data buffer 22, theCPU 14 instructs the flash data transfer control unit 12 to enable thedata to be transferred to the flash memory 2 (S17). During this period,the transfer arbitrator 13 performs the process which is carried out inresponse to the flash data transfer request (S2) described by referringto FIG. 5, thereby transferring the data stored in the SDRAM 5 to thedata buffer 22 in accordance with the value of the address counter 32 sothat the data held in the data buffer 22 becomes eight bytes.

When the process responding to the host data transfer request in FIG. 5and the process responding to the flash data transfer request arerepeated in a time sharing manner, the CPU 14 detects a state where boththe signals HEND_IRQ and FEND_IRQ are active (S18) and enters a writeaccess request waiting mode (SO). Specifically, when data according tothe number of write data pieces to be written in response to the writeaccess request made by the host 3 is stored in the SDRAM 5, the signalHEND_IRQ is made active. When data according to the number of write datato be written is read from the SDRAM 5, the signal FEND_IRQ is madeactive.

FIG. 7 illustrates the control operation of the CPU performed inresponse to the read access request. When a read access request from thehost 3 is detected (S20), the CPU 14 calculates a physical address, thatis, a sector address in the flash memory 2 from the access address inputto the address register 15A (S21), and sets a read command to thecalculated sector address into the flash memory 2 via the flash datatransfer control unit 4 (S22). The CPU 14 sets the address counter 32for flash data transfer, that is, initializes or presets the initialvalue (S23). Further, the CPU 14 instructs the flash data transfercontrol unit 12 to transfer data which is input from the flash memory 2to the data buffer 22 to the transfer arbitrator 13 (S24). By performinga process which is carried out in response to the flash data transferrequest (S2) described by referring to FIG. 5, for example, each time8-byte data is input from the flash memory 2 to the data buffer 22, thetransfer arbitrator 13 enables the data to be stored into the SDRAM 5designated by the address counter 32. After that, the CPU 14 sets theaddress counter 31 for host data transfer, that is, initializes orpresets an initial value (S25) The CPU 14 instructs the host datatransfer control unit 11 to read out data from the SDRAM 5 and supplythe data to the data buffer 20 (S26). The CPU 14 sets a transfer enablestatus in the status register 15S and notifies the host 3 of the factthat the read data can be fetched (S13) The transfer arbitrator 13performs the process which is carried out in response to the hosttransfer request (S1) that has been described by referring to FIG. 5 totransfer the data stored in the SDRAM 5 into the data buffer 20 inaccordance with the value of the address counter 31 so that the dataheld by the data buffer 20 becomes eight bytes.

When the process performed in response to the host transfer request inFIG. 5 and the process performed in response to the flash data transferrequest are repeated in a time sharing manner, the CPU 14 detects astate in which both of the signals HEND_IRQ and FEND_IRQ are active(S28), and enters a read access request waiting mode (S20).Specifically, when data according to the number of data to be read inresponse to the read access request instructed by the host 3 is storedin the SDRAM 5, the signal FEND_IRQ is made active. When data accordingto the number of data to be read is read from the SDRAM 5, the signalFEND_IRQ is made active.

FIG. 8 shows the correlation of data transfer operations of the host 3,SDRAM 5, and flash memory 2 when a write access request is received. (A)shows the operation state of the host 3, (B) shows the operation stateof the SDRAM 5, and (C) shows the operation state of the flash memory 2.Shown are an address bus H_ADR connected from the host 3 to thecontroller 4, a data bus H_DAT for connecting the host 3 and thecontroller 4, a write enable signal H_WE output from the host 3, anoutput enable signal H_OE output from the host 3, a sync clock signalD_CLK supplied to the SDRAM 5, a write enable signal D_WE supplied fromthe controller 4 to the SDRAM 5, a data bus D_DAT for connecting thecontroller 4 and the SDRAM 5, an output enable signal F_OE which isoutput from the controller 4 to the flash memory 2, a write enablesignal F_WE supplied from the controller 4 to the flash memory 2, aserial clock signal F_CS output from the controller 4 to the flashmemory 2, and a data bus F_DAT connecting the controller 4 and the flashmemory 2.

The host 3 outputs an address value to the address register 15A in thecontroller 4 and a write transfer command to the command register 15C inthe controller 4 and reads the status set in the status register 15S ofthe controller 4. After reading a transfer enable status, the host 3transfers data to the data register in the data buffer 20. The datatransfer is performed on a block unit basis and each block consists of,for example, eight bytes. The controller 4 gives the flash memory 2 asector address value for writing and a write transfer command. When dataof a data block 1 is received, the controller 4 writes the data into theSDRAM 5. A write cycle at this time is indicated by Tdw. The data of thedata block 1 written is read from the SDRAM 5 to the controller 4. Aread cycle at this time is indicated by Tdr. The data of the data block1 read to the controller 4 is transferred to the flash memory 2. Whilethe SDRAM 5 performs the write cycle Tdw and the read cycle Tdr on thedata of the data block 1, the host 3 outputs data of the following datablock 2 toward the buffer 20 in the controller 4. When the data of thedata block 1 is transferred to the flash memory 2, the write cycle andthe read cycles on the data of the data block 2 are performed by theSDRAM 5 in a time sharing manner. A process similar to the above isperformed on data up to a data block 4.

According to the example, when the controller 4 reads the data of thedata block 3 from the port on the transfer arbitrator 13 side of thedata buffer 20, stores it into the SDRAM 5 (Ti to Tj) and, subsequently,stores the data stored in the SDRAM 5 into the data buffer 22 from theport on the transfer arbitrator 13 side (Tj to Tk), the data of thefollowing data block 4 is input to the data buffer 20 from the port onthe host 3 side of the data buffer 20 and the data of the data block 2preceding to the data block 3 is transferred to the flash memory 2 fromthe port on the flash memory 2 side of the data buffer 22. In short, inresponse to a write access request from the host 3, the controller 4stores write data to the SDRAM 5 and outputs the write data stored inthe SDRAM 5 in a time sharing manner. In parallel with the process ofstoring write data into the SDRAM 5, the write data can be transferredto the flash memory 2. In parallel with the process of outputting thewrite data from the SDRAM 5, the next write data can be input from thehost 3.

In the example of FIG. 8, a write command sequence to the flash memory 2includes the address value (sector address value), write transfercommand, write data (data blocks 1 to 4), and write start command. Oncondition that the write start command is input, the flash memory 2interprets information which has been input just moments before that asa command sequence and, in accordance with the result, starts thewriting operation in the flash memory 2. In FIG. 8, a command sequencesupply cycle from the input of the address value to the input of thewrite start command is indicated as Tfw.

FIG. 9 shows the correlation of data transferring operations of thehost, SDRAM, and flash memory when the read access request is received.(A) shows the operation state of the host 3, (B) shows the operationstate of the SDRAM 5, and (C) shows the operation state of the flashmemory 2.

The host 3 outputs an address value to the address register 15A and aread transfer command to the command register 15 in the controller 4.The controller 4 supplies the address value and the flash read transfercommand to the flash memory 2. In response to the command, the flashmemory 2 sequentially reads out the data in the data blocks 1 to 4synchronously with the clock signal F_CS. In FIG. 9, the read cycle isindicated as Tfr. The data of the data block 1 which is read first iswritten into the SDRAM 5 via the data buffer 22. The write cycle isindicated as Tdw. Further, the written data of the data block 1 is readout from the SDRAM 5 and supplied to the data buffer 20. The read cycleis indicated as Tdr. After all of the data of the data block 1 is storedin the data buffer 20, a transfer enable status is set in the statusregister 15S. The host 3 recognizes the status and fetches the data ofthe data block 1. With respect to the data blocks 2 to 4 as well, aprocess similar to the above is performed.

According to the example, during the controller 4 reads out the data ofthe data block 3 from, for example, the port on the transfer arbitrator13 side of the data buffer 22, stores the read data into the SDRAM 5 (Tpto Tq) and, subsequently, stores the data stored in the SDRAM 5 into thedata buffer 20 (Tq to Tr), the data of the next data block 4 is inputfrom the port of the flash memory 2 side of the data buffer 22 to thedata buffer 22 and the preceding data of the data block 2 is suppliedfrom the port on the side of the host 3 of the data buffer 20 to thehost 3. In short, in response to the read access request from the host3, the controller 4 stores the read data into the SDRAM 5 and outputsthe read data stored in the SDRAM 5 in a time sharing manner. Inparallel with the process of storing the read data into the SDRAM 5, thehost 3 can fetch the read data from the buffer memory 20. In parallelwith the process of outputting the read data from the SDRAM 5, a processof inputting the next read data from the flash memory 2 to the buffermemory 22 can be performed.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the write cycle Tdw of the SDRAM. Shown area clock CLK corresponding to the clock D_CLK, a clock enable signal CKE,a chip select signal CS_N, a row address strobe signal RAS_N, a columnaddress strobe signal CAS_N, a write enable signal WE_N corresponding tothe signal D_WE, address signals A14 to A0, and data D15 to D0.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the read cycle Tdr of the SDRAM.

FIG. 12 shows an example of the write cycle Tfw to the flash memory 2.1FH denotes a write transfer command, SA(1) and SA(2) denote addressvalues, and 40H indicates a write start command. Write data (Din) isinput synchronously with a serial clock SC.

FIG. 13 shows an example of the read cycle Tfr to the flash memory 2.00H/F0H denotes a read transfer command and SA(1) and SA(2) denoteaddress values. Read data (Dout) is output synchronously with the serialclock SC.

FIG. 14 illustrates the flow of a data transfer process performed inresponse to a write access request. The process flow of FIG. 14 assumesa case where there is no write error in the flash memory 2. When a writeaccess request is issued from the host 3, the controller 4 notifies thehost 3 of a write transfer prepared status and sends a write transferrequest to the flash memory 2. On receipt of the notification, the host3 transfers write data to the controller 4 and the controller 4transfers the write data to the flash memory 2. The flash memory 2performs the writing operation and returns a normal end signal to thecontroller 4. In the case such that there is no allowance to store writedata of a new block in the data buffer 20, the controller 4 asserts thesignal HWAIT and sends a write transfer temporary interruption requestto the host 3. When the write data of a new block becomes storable, thecontroller 4 negates the signal HWAIT and supplies a write transferrestart signal to the host 3. The host 3 restarts transferring writedata to the controller 4 and the controller 4 restarts transferring thewrite data to the flash memory 2. After all of processes responding tothe write access request are finished, the controller 4 sends a writetransfer end notification to the host 3.

FIG. 15 shows an example of the flow of another data transfer processperformed in response to the write access request. The process flow inthe diagram assumes that there is a write error in the flash memory 2.When a write access request is issued from the host 3, the controller 4notifies the host 3 of a write transfer prepared status and sends awrite transfer request to the flash memory 2. The host 3 receives thenotification and transfers write data to the controller 4, and thecontroller 4 transfers the write data to the flash memory 2. The flashmemory 2 performs a writing operation, in this example, a write erroroccurs, and the flash memory 2 notifies the controller 4 of a writefailure end. The controller 4 receives the notification, asserts thesignal HWAIT, and sends a write data transfer temporary interruptionrequest to the host 3. After that, the controller 4 negates the signalHWAIT, notifies the host 3 of write data transfer restart, and sends aspare block write data transfer request to the flash memory 2. The host3 transfers write data to the controller 4 and the controller 4transfers the write data to the flash memory 2. In this example, thewriting to the flash memory 2 fails again and a write error end isnotified to the controller 4. After that, the controller 4 requests theflash memory 2 to perform the writing process which has failed. Duringthe period, the host 3 can transfer the following write data to thecontroller 4 in advance. Finally, after all of processes responding tothe write access request are finished, the controller 4 sends a writetransfer end notification to the host 3.

FIG. 16 shows the flow of a data transfer process responding to a readaccess request. When a read access request is issued by the host 3, thecontroller 4 notifies the host 3 of a read transfer prepared status andsends a read data transfer request to the flash memory 2. The flashmemory 2 receives the request and transfers read data to the controller4. The controller 4 transfers the read data to the host 3. In thisexample, the flash memory 2 returns a normal end to the controller 4. Inthe case where there is no allowance of storing read data of a new blockin the data buffer 20, the controller 4 asserts the signal HWAIT andsends a read transfer temporary interruption request to the host 3. Whenread data of a new block becomes storable, the controller 4 negates thesignal HWAIT, requests the host 3 to restart transferring read data, andsends a read data transfer request to the flash memory 2. In a mannersimilar to the above, the flash memory 2 transfers read data to thecontroller 4 and the controller 4 transfers the read data to the host 3.After finishing all of processes responding to the read access request,the controller 4 notifies the host 3 of a read data transfer end.

By the buffering function using the SDRAM 5 of the controller 4, longwaiting time is not required for the timing of supplying a plurality ofwrite data pieces by the host 3, and long waiting time is not requiredfor the timing of obtaining a plurality of read data pieces by the host3. Therefore, the invention can contribute to reduction in waiting timeof the host 3 regarding data transfer between the host 3 and thecontroller 4, reduction in a processing load, and reduction in processtime. It can improve efficiency of the data process accompanying anaccess to the flash memory card 1.

Although the invention achieved by the inventor herein has beendescribed concretely on the basis of the embodiments, obviously, theinvention is not limited to the embodiments but can be variously changedwithout departing from the gist.

For example, the nonvolatile memory is not limited to a flash memory butmay be a rewritable nonvolatile memory employing other storing methodssuch as a high-dielectric-constant memory. The number of informationmemory bits per memory cell is not limited to one bit but may be two ormore bits The memory system is not limited to a flash memory card suchas a PC card but can be constructed on a processor board on which a dataprocessor is mounted. The data buffer in the host interface part in thecontroller and the data buffer in the nonvolatile memory interface partare not limited to a dual-port type but may be a memory of a singleport, a register, or a latch circuit. In short, any device may be usedas long as data can be input/output in the host interface part or flashinterface part in parallel with data transfer to a buffer memory in atime sharing manner.

Effects produced by representative ones of the inventions disclosed inthe specification will be briefly described as follows.

In response to a write access request from the outside, the controllercan store write data to the buffer memory and output the write datastored in the buffer memory in a time sharing manner. By using a databuffer of a dual port type, write data can be transferred to thenonvolatile memory (second data transfer) in parallel with the writedata storing process, and the following write data from an externalapparatus can be input (first data transfer) in parallel with the writedata outputting process.

In response to a read access request from the outside, the controllercan store read data to the buffer memory and output the read data storedin the buffer memory in a time sharing manner. By using a data buffer ofa dual port type, read data can be transferred to an external apparatus(first data transfer) in parallel with the read data storing process,and the following read data from the nonvolatile memory can be input(second data transfer) in parallel with the read data outputtingprocess.

In such a manner, long waiting time is unnecessary for the timing ofsupplying a plurality of write data pieces by an external apparatus suchas a host, and long waiting time is unnecessary for the timing ofobtaining a plurality of read data pieces by the host. Therefore, theinvention can contribute to reduction in waiting time of the host in thedata transfer between the host and a controller, reduction in a processload, and reduction in processing time. Thus, the efficiency of a dataprocess accompanying a memory access can be improved.

1. A nonvolatile memory system comprising: a controller; a buffermemory; a nonvolatile memory; a first signal line connected to thecontroller, for transferring data to/from the outside; a second signalline connecting the controller to the buffer memory; and a third signalline connecting the controller to the nonvolatile memory, wherein saidsecond signal line includes a clock signal line, wherein said buffermemory is supplied a clock signal via said second signal line, wherein aclock frequency of said clock signal is higher than a data transferfrequency of said third signal line, and wherein a data transfer rate ofsaid second signal line is equal to or higher than a sum of a datatransfer rate of said first signal line and a data transfer rate of saidthird signal line.
 2. The nonvolatile memory system according to claim1, wherein the data transfer rate of said first signal line is equal toor higher than the data transfer rate of said third signal line.
 3. Thenonvolatile memory system according to claim 2, wherein said buffermemory is a memory to/from which data is input/output synchronously withsaid clock signal.
 4. The nonvolatile memory system according to claim3, wherein in the case of storing data supplied from the outside intosaid nonvolatile memory, in said second signal line, transfer of datawhich is supplied from the outside and temporarily stored in the buffermemory and transfer of data which is temporarily stored in the buffermemory and is stored into said nonvolatile memory are performed in atime sharing manner.
 5. The nonvolatile memory system according to claim3, wherein in the case of supplying data stored in said nonvolatilememory to the outside, in said second signal line, transfer of datawhich is read from said nonvolatile memory and temporarily stored in thebuffer memory and transfer of data which is temporarily stored in thebuffer memory and is supplied to the outside are performed in a timesharing manner.
 6. The nonvolatile memory system according to claim 1,further comprising a plurality of said nonvolatile memories, and a datatransfer rate of said third signal line is equal to a sum of datatransfer rates of said plurality of nonvolatile memories.
 7. Thenonvolatile memory system according to claim 6, wherein the datatransfer rate of said first signal line is equal to or higher than thedata transfer rate of said third signal line.
 8. The nonvolatile memorysystem according to claim 7, wherein said buffer memory is a memoryto/from which data is input/output synchronously with said clock signal.9. The nonvolatile memory system according to claim 8, wherein in thecase of storing data supplied from the outside into said nonvolatilememory, in said second signal line, transfer of data which is suppliedfrom the outside and temporarily stored into the buffer memory andtransfer of data which is temporarily stored in the buffer memory andstored into any of said plurality of nonvolatile memories are performedin a time sharing manner.
 10. The nonvolatile memory system according toclaim 8, wherein in the case of supplying data stored in saidnonvolatile memory to the outside, in said second signal line, transferof data which is read from any of said plurality of nonvolatile memoriesand temporarily stored into the buffer memory and transfer of data whichis temporarily stored in the buffer memory and supplied to the outsideare performed in a time sharing manner.